The Life of Rodman Philbrick - Page Text Content

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FC: The Life OF | Rodman Philbrick | By: | Karen Trejo

1: He grew up in a small town on the coast of New Hampshire. | Rodman Philbrick was born in 1951.

3: In Rye, Rodman worked as both a carpenter and a boat builder. At the same time he began to write his novels.

4: In 1980, Rodman Philbrick married editor and writer, Lynn Harnett. Harnett and Philbrick currently write and publish several series of books for both young adults and adult audiences.

7: Rodman is also a member of the Mystery Writers of America, and he has won numerous awards and honors.

9: Freak The MIghty was inspired by a kid that lived in rodman Philbrick's neighborhood who was diagnosed with Morquio's Syndrome. The Movie, 'THe Mighty', was based on the novel. Rodman wrote the first screenplay version, but the producers thought it was too much like the book so another screenwriter was hired.

10: Philbrick is a novelist and a screenwriter. Before he wrote novels for young adults, he was writing adult mysteries. Gaining national awards for his young adult novel, Freak The Mighty, Rodman has gone on to living a double life; meaning he writes adult mysteries and teen fiction.

11: The shift from writing adult mysteries to teen fiction was more of an accident. He got the idea from a 12-year-old boy living in his neighborhood whom was diagnosed with Morquio's Syndrome. He then wrote Freak The Mighty.

12: Philbrick had started writing in Rye High School back in 1967. His first story was like a page and a half long. He had typed it up and sent it to Magazine Creators. Hoping that it would be accepted.

15: Growing up in New England, he worked as a boat builder and a fisherman. At the same time he worked on writing his novels. But those works were never accepted to be published. | Rodman Philbrick is a hardworking fisherman and practices art as frequently as he possibly can. | Rodman Philbrick is 62 years old. He has been married since 1980. He does not have any kids, but he does have several nieces and nephews.

16: Two of his most popular children's books are Freak The Mighty and its sequel, Max The Mighty. Freak The Mighty was the basis of a Golden Globe nominated movie titled 'The Mighty', which was released in 1998. Philbrick has also written The Last Book In The Universe and the science fantasy REM World. Other works for young readers include The Young Man and the Sea which is dedicated to his nieces and Fire Pony about two brothers on the go in the American West.

19: His latest books for young readers, The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg, about the American Civil War, was named a Newbery Honor Book in 2010. A stage version of The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg will be presented at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., in 2012.

21: Some of Rodman Philbrick's novels include: | -The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg -Freak The Mighty -The Last Book in the Universe -Max The Mighty -The Young Man and the Sea

22: Freak the Mighty By: Rodman Philbrick | Freak the Mighty is about Max, a middle school boy who's diagnosed with dyslexia, and Kevin, a brilliant boy but his body is crippled due to birth defects and he has to wear braces on his legs and use crutches to walk.

23: Max and Kevin met for the first time in day care. Max was an angry kid called 'Kicker' because he kicked everyone. While Kevin called himself 'Robot Man' because of his leg braces. The summer before 8th grade, Kevin and his mom moved in next door to Max's grandparents' house, where her lived in the basement. The boys meet again when Max helps him get his mechanical bird from the tree where its stuck. The two boys become friends.

24: Max's father is a well-know criminal who is serving time in prison. On the day that Max learns his dad, Kenny will be released on parole, Kevin chokes on American Chop Suey in the cafeteria but recovers after a short hospital stay. On Christmas Eve, Kenny kidnaps Max from his home.He ties Max up and leaves him in an abandoned building. Loretta, the wife of Kenny's friend, tries to help Max escape but enny catches her and tries to choke her and Max. Suddenly, Kevin shows up with a squirt gun which he claims is full of acid. The liquid isn't really acid but is effective. Max is able to escape and Kenny is arrested.

25: Kevin has a seizure on his birthday and eventually dies. Max is depressed and withdraws from the world for a time. But after like a year, he's inspired by an empty book, Kevin had made for him to write the story abput their adventures and friendship. | That story, became the story Freak the Mighty.